What is Ugly Corn Syndrome?

In episode 4 of Corn College TV, Farm Journal Field Agronomist Ken Ferrie answers a farmer’s question about why their corn snaps from green to yellow early in the season.

“When soils warm in the late spring, you may see your corn lose its green color, especially in corn on corn,” Ferrie says. “It’s showing nitrogen deficiency, but it may not be because you didn’t put enough on. It’s just not in the right spot.”

Soil microbes become more active in the warmer soil temperatures and the microbes are decomposing last year’s residue, which deprives the corn plant is deprived of nitrogen.

“Sometimes the yellowing is a function of too much rain. But if it’s common to see yellowing across your acres, consider an adjustment in your N application,” Ferrie says.